London, 29 July 2013: Metro Bank, the revolution in British banking, announces its half year results as it reaches its third anniversary.
Metro Bank continues to demonstrate its appetite to lend with the announcement of two multi-million pound financing deals with specialist housing associations. The newest high street lender has provided a new £10 million funding line to the Agudas Israel Housing Association and £4 million to the Apna Ghar Housing Association, both repaying over a period of 25 years
Craig Donaldson, Chief Executive Officer, Metro Bank, said: “This report shows a clear desire from the Commission to increase competition and strengthen governance across the banking sector. However, from our experience of setting up the first high street bank in over 100 years, we believe that although the recommendations are broad, there is still a long way to go until we see recommendations actually translated into action.
Metro Bank today sets out its recommendations for legislative change in the banking sector, ahead of the Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards’ imminent report. Metro Bank is the only high street bank to have successfully navigated the regulatory processes to launch in more than 100 years.
Craig Donaldson, Chief Executive Officer, Metro Bank: “Metro Bank is committed to supporting and nurturing enterprise by providing lending solutions to our customers. We’re extremely proud that since June 2012, as today’s figures show, we’ve increased our lending by 219%. Our lending growth is a message to SMEs that there is lending to be had if they look in the right places.
Metro Bank sees dramatic year on year increases in lending and deposits, as customers flock to the revolutionary high street bank
Metro Bank Chairman, Vernon Hill, was last night awarded the prestigious Free Enterprise Award from the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA). Presented by Lord Norman Lamont, previous Chancellor of the Exchequer, Hill received the award at an exclusive ceremony hosted at Metro Bank in Holborn.
Metro Bank, the first new High Street bank in more than 100 years, is proud to announce the inclusion of its Head of Private Banking, Kirsty MacArthur (33), on the 2013 Private Asset Managers (PAM) Top 40 under 40 list.
The Chancellor promised a Budget 'for people who aspire to work hard and get on’, and this was certainly a budget that was aimed at boosting employment. In particular we welcome announced cuts to the employer National Insurance contributions. As a fast growing company, Metro Bank understands that growth is a major priority of most businesses. In just three years we’ll have created over 1,000 new jobs, and recognise that the cost of hiring people can be a major barrier to growth for many companies. Anything that can alleviate this must be welcomed with open arms.
Craig Donaldson, Chief Executive of Metro Bank comments on today’s Funding for Lending figures: “The Funding for Lending Scheme was introduced to help stimulate our economy through increasing lending to individuals and small businesses. Today’s figures show that there’s certainly more work to be done with some of the market players, but Metro Bank is a great example of how the scheme is working and we’re very proud of that.
Please contact pressoffice@metrobank.plc.uk or 07815 506845